Domande Frequenti

I've been to Australia on a Working Holiday Visa before - can I apply for another one?

Yes, there is a Second Year Australian Working Holiday Visa. You can apply for this visa if you are 18 to 30 years old, do not intend to travel with dependent children and have completed three months specified work in regional Australia while on your first Working Holiday visa.

What is "specified work"?

To be eligible for a second working holiday visa in Australia you must have completed three months specified work* in regional Australia while on your first WHM visa. * Specified work is work that is undertaken in a 'specified' field or industry in a designated regional area. Specified work is any type of work described in the list below:

- plant and animal cultivation

cultivating or propagating plants, fungi or their products or parts

general maintenance crop work

harvesting and/or packing fruit and vegetable crops

immediate processing of animal products including shearing, butchery in an abattoir, packing and tanning. (Note: Secondary processing of animal products, such as small goods processing and retail butchery is not eligible.)

immediate processing of plant products

maintaining animals for the purpose of selling them or their bodily produce, including natural increase

manufacturing dairy produce from raw material

pruning and trimming vines and trees.

- fishing and pearling

conducting operations relating directly to taking or catching fish and other aquatic species

planting or tending trees in a plantation or forest that are intended to be felled

transporting trees or parts of trees that were felled in a plantation or forest to the place where they are first to be milled or processed or from which they are to be transported to the place where they are to be milled or processed.

- mining

coal mining

oil and gas extraction

metal ore mining

non-metallic mineral mining and quarrying

exploration and other mining support services

- construction

building construction

heavy and civil enginerring construction

construction services

NB: Specified work does not need to be undertaken as a direct employee. Work undertaken as a contractor is eligible if it falls within the specified work definition listed above. The Specified work does not need to be paid work. Work undertaken as a volunteer may qualify if the work falls within the specified work definition listed above. To provide evidence of specified work, please click here and download the "Employment Verification Form 1263". This must be completed by all the employers you have done specified work for during your first 12 months in Australia.

What is "regional Australia"?

For the purposes of this working holiday visa, regional Australia is any area outside of Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, the NSW Central Coast, Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Perth, Melbourne or the ACT.

Regional Australia is defined by specific postcodes. You should check the postcode list before starting specified work to ensure it is in an eligible area.

How do I count the three months?

Three months (88 days in total) is considered to be three calendar months. Full time workers may include weekends in calculating the number of days worked. Applicants who work part time or on a casual basis can only count the full days actually worked. The shortest period that can be counted is one day of full time work (for any given industry). Full time workers can also count sick days only during periods where they were in paid employment and entitled to sick leave or covered by a workers compensation scheme. In these situations, supporting evidence must be provided by the employer.

How do I apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa?

Complete the Australia Visa application form, making sure you answer each question in full.

If you are applying for your Australian working holiday visa in Ireland, post your application form, including payment of €260, to Visa First, 14 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland.

If you are applying for your Australia visa in the UK, post your application form, including payment of £235 to Visa First, 3rd Floor, 9 White Lion Street, London, N1 9PD, United Kingdom.

You can pay by enclosing a postal order or bank draft made payable to Traveltowork Ltd* or by completing the credit card section of the application. Do not send cash or cheque.

*Visa First is a trading name for Traveltowork Ltd.

Do I need to be outside Australia to apply?

No. You can apply for your Second Working Holiday Visa Australia from either inside or outside Australia.

Do I need a bank statement stating I have AU$5,000 to apply for the visa?

No. Because Visa First will lodge your visa application electronically, there is no requirement to submit any additional documents to have your working holiday visa for Australia granted. However, applicants for an electronic working holiday visa are required to declare in their application that they have sufficient funds for a return onward fare to their intended overseas destination on leaving Australia. Applicants are also required to declare sufficient funds for personal support for the purposes of a working holiday. This would normally be around AU$5000 (€4,200/£3,500/CA$5,500) plus enough funds for the return airfare. Please note that there is no need to purchase the return airfare in advance.

Do I need to have chest x-rays to apply?

No. You do not need chest x-rays to apply. Please do not undergo any medial/chest x-ray until your application has been submitted to Visa First. If you require a medical examination or chest x-rays we’ll notify you immediately. If a chest x-ray/medical examination is required, your application may take up to 8-12 weeks to process from the date that your medical results are forwarded for assessment. Additional processing fees may apply.

How long will my Australian Working Holiday Visa be valid for?

Once your Australia Visa is granted, you will have 12 months to arrive in Australia. After you arrive in the country, you will be allowed to stay in Australia for a maximum of 12 months.

How do I know what’s happening with my visa application?

Visa First is the only company with an online visa status engine through which you can check the status of your Australia Visa application 24/7. Once you register with us and your application is lodged, you will receive login details which you can use to monitor your visa application status.

How will I know when my application has been finalised?

Once we receive your completed Oz Visa application, we will call or email you. When your second Australian Working Holiday Visa is approved, you will receive an approval letter to your nominated email or postal address. Make sure you keep a copy of this letter. This letter will confirm your visa approval and detail the validity date of your visa and conditions.

What do I do once my working holiday visa for Australia is granted?

You do not need to visit an Australian Immigration office at any time after the visa is granted. You should register with the Visa Entitlements and Verification Online (VEVO) system. VEVO is accessed by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website. VEVO allows the visa holder and employers the capacity to check work rights online. You MUST remember to use the same passport as the one you used in your working holiday application.

Come posso aprire un conto bancario in Australia?

Visa First is partnered with Traveltowork, who can open your Australian bank account before you leave home. Traveltowork partners with one of Australia’s largest banks – ANZ – and will provide you with your account details by email within 4-5 working days of your application. Once you arrive in Oz, you simply present your passport or drivers licence at any ANZ branch to access your funds.

Do I have to use the 2nd Year Visa consecutively to the 1st year visa or can it be a year down the road?

You can apply for the extension of your visa in a year or two. You will still be eligible to the 2nd year visa, as long as you haven't turned 31 yet.

I have been working in Muchea in WA, for a paintball company doing construction work and site maintenance. Can this be used for my specified work to get a 2nd working holiday visa? Or does the ABN of the company that signs me off need to be in one of the industries listed for specified work?

If you have done the required 88 days of specified work (construction / fruit-picking / farm work) there is no problem to apply for the 2ndworking holiday visa. It doesn't matter where the company is registered at as long as you have worked in the regional parts of Australia. But please be advised that you actually need to have worked in construction - i.e. working in the administration of a construction company won't be acceptable.

My first working holiday visa expires in a few weeks and I am currently doing my harvest work, but it is possible that I will not have enough days work in time. I have heard that it is possible to get a bridging visa in order to finish the work, but I can not seem to find much information about this. Is it actually possible and I if so is it easy to get one?

To be eligible to apply for the 2nd working holiday visa you need to have done at least 88 days harvest work. Luckily weekends are not excluded so if you have worked from the 1st till the 31st you should count the period as 31 days. There is no such bridging visa that will allow you to extend your current working holiday visa so that you could do the required time of harvest work. Once you apply for the 2nd working holiday visa only then you’re issued a bridging visa that allows you to remain in Australia until a decision is made on your application.

If I work 6 months on a cattle station in my first year and qualify for the 2nd year visa, can I do another 6 months with the same employer in the 2nd year?

There is absolutely no problem to work with the same employer for another 6 months once your 2nd working holiday visa is granted.

My boyfriend is currently doing his first year at the moment. We want to do a second year, but he has turned 31 since we have been in OZ. What can we do to stay another year?

Unfortunately your boyfriend won’t be able to get the 2nd working holiday visa as he’s already 31 and the age requirements is to be aged between 18 - 30.

I am currently in OZ and my visa expires in two weeks. I have been granted my second year today, but I want to go home for a few months. Will my second year only start when I re-enter for my second year?

If your 2nd working holiday visa is granted while you’re in Australia you’re automatically added another 12 months on your current visa validity. This means that you can stay till 19th October 2010. If you travel to Ireland within that time, the period you spend outside of Australia will be deducted from the visa validity.

I am on a one year work visa. I am currently in the process of working in construction, a specialized area, using skills I have required else where. Is this acceptable when applying for a 2nd year? Can you apply for a longer stay, not to work, just to travel if you have a 1 year work?

If you do 3 months construction work in regional Australia (outside of the big cities) you will be eligible to apply for the 2nd working holiday visa. If you apply form inside Australia you will receive another year on your current visa. If you apply from outside of Australia, you will have 1 year to enter the country and 1 year to stay – just like it was with your 1st working holiday visa.

If you want to stay as a visitor you will have to leave Australia after your working holiday visa expires and apply for a holiday visa. The maximum length you can get is 6 months on one stay.

Can I work with the same employer on my second working holiday visa?

Once your 2nd working holiday visa is granted you can work for another 6 months with an employer that you worked for while you were on your 1st working holiday visa.

I have worked as a division 1 registered nurse in regional Australia for 3 months. Am I eligible for a second year working holiday visa?

To be eligible to apply for the 2nd working holiday visa you must have done harvest, farm work or construction in regional Australia. Unfortunately working as a nurse doesn’t qualify you for the 2nd working holiday visa. However as you’re a nurse and your occupation is in high demand in Australia you might be eligible for a Skilled Migration visa or for a Sponsorship visa if you have a job offer from an Australian employer.

Is there any way to apply for a second year visa without doing regional work for three months? Can you do this work after your first year is up?

To be eligible to apply for the 2nd working holiday visa you must have done at least 3 months harvest work or construction work in regional Australia while you have been on your 1st visa. Otherwise there is no way to submit your application.

Is it possible to get a second year visa through a relative who is an Australian resident?

To be eligible to apply for the 2nd working holiday visa you must have done at least 3 months harvest, farm or construction work in regional Australia while you are on the 1st year visa.

What if my first year visa expires 3 weeks before i complete the 88 days? Can i still apply for the 2nd year once im finished?

You are not allowed to work after your working holiday visa expires. You must leave Australia within 28-day period from the date your visa expires and at that time you are not allowed to work at all because you will be on visitor’s status. So unfortunately you won’t be able to qualify for the 2nd working holiday visa because you won’t complete the required 88 days on time.

I have been accepted for a second year visa. I applied for and was accepted the visa inside Australia. I am now in Thailand and want to postpone my second year so that i don't waste any. Is there any way of doing this? My first year visa runs until Jan 1st 2009.

If your 2nd working holiday visa was granted while you were in Australia, then you were automatically added another 12 months on your current visa validity and the 2nd visa has been started. Please bear in mind that the time that you spend outside of Australia will be deducted from your visa validity. There is no way to postpone your 2nd working holiday visa because it has been already activated.

I will be applying via telephone in a week for my 2nd working Holiday Visa, providing I email you my employment verification form, how long should it take to process?

Normally it takes only a couple of days for the visa to be granted unless the Immigration Authorities require more information. If your concern is that your current visa expires soon you shouldn’t worry because as long as we submit your application within your current visa validity you will be granted a bridging visa that will allow you to remain in Australia until your 2nd working holiday visa is granted.

My current 1st year holiday visa expires in 2 weeks. I have already completed my 3 months harvest work however I am unsure as in wheather I want to take my visa now. I have heard of a bridging visa that allows you to stay 28 days on top of your orginal visa...is this true?

Basically, you need to leave Australia once your working holiday visa expires. If you’re not able to leave the country you should contact the Immigration authorities before your visa expires. They will issue you a bridging visa so that you are legally in the country. There is no automatic 28-days bridging visa.

If you decide that you want to apply for your 2nd working holiday visa before your current one expires than you will be issued a bridging visa that will allow you to stay in Australia until your 2nd year visa is granted.

I had worked for three months at one farm. Is it enough to get second visa?

You need to have done at least 88 days in order to be eligible to obtain your 2nd working holiday visa.

I have been working in a winery as a Cellar Hand in the correct postcode. My question is: Because my Winery did not have vineyards attached to it, does this mean they were not primary producers? We crushed grapes and made wines for clients. This is really worrying me so thank you so much if you can provide an answer - I called Immigration and the lady was complately unhelpful!

The work that you have done will qualify you to get the 2nd Working holiday visa. If you want, we can process your visa straight away if you’ve done the required 88 days. Please provide us with a contact number and we’ll call you and guide you through the process.

I turn 31 before my first holiday visa is up. If I complete my 88 days of work and get approved will I be able to stay when i turn 31?

There will be no problem to stay in Australia when you’re 31 as long as you apply for your 2nd Working holiday visa before your 31st birthday. Please be advised that once you complete the 88 days of required work you can lodge your application and if the visa is approved you will be added another year to stay in Australia.

If I have worked in Hospitality in a regional, like in a hotel, bar for the required 88 days would that allow me to get a 2nd year visa?

Unfortunately, hospitality work is not considered an eligible type of work to qualify you for the 2nd working holiday visa. To be eligible for this type of visa you need to have done harvest or construction work in regional Australia for at least 88 days.

Can I do so many days voluntary work and the rest in paid work?

No matter if the work is paid or not, as long as you have done the required 88 days harvest or construction work in regional Australia you will be eligible to apply for the 2nd working holiday visa.

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